Now let's say you'd like it to be a friendly hangout, but you're
not sure what the other person is thinking.

In this situation, you might want to talk about your dating life
or casually make a comment about how you're not in a place where
you're looking for a relationship. Before you leave, consider
offering to
split the bill.

Again, notice how they respond to your behavior.

If at this point, you're still not sure whether you're
on a date, it's okay to ask — but do it playfully, Syrtash said.
Something like, "Hey, is this a date?" with a laugh should
work.

The bottom line here is that you'll want to keep the awkwardness
to a minimum. Try to rely on body language and nonverbal signals
of romance or friendship. Don't force anything.